It's a Friday night. It's been a long week and you're looking to unwind, so you decide to take a short trip to Broadway. No, not Broadway, New York, with the lights and endless entertainment. I mean Broadway, that one street in Granville, the town that is basically only one street. However, if you do it right, one street is all you need. If you’re new to the scene and have not yet figured out for yourself the ins and outs of the village, I have taken it upon myself to provide you with a little shortcut. Don’t worry, I am an expert, so without further ado...a ranking of bars in Granville (all five of them):
5. The Granville Inn
The Granville Inn technically has a bar, or so I am told. I attempted to go there once. I walked in, looked at what everyone else was wearing, and promptly left before I could embarrass myself any further. I do not suggest going here if you aren't with your parents or willing to shell out some major cash. But, I will say that the interior is quite nice.
4. The Buxton Inn
A hidden gem in Granville, the Buxton actually has really great Happy Hour Specials. It may not be the best for a weekend, as it can get pricey and is rarely occupied by students, but this place is definitely worth an afternoon stop. Plus, the bar is in a basement and everything is made of stone so I like to pretend like I'm at Hogwarts when I'm drinking there.
3. Broadway Pub
This will be a contentious call, especially as Broadway increases in popularity. After its recent expansion, Broadway has become quite a popular weekend destination. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised to find that their whiskey sours are almost a dollar cheaper than their competition's. However, aside from it being a popular hangout after midnight, I don't see much draw. It's hard to get served and I can't shake the sneaking suspicion that the bartenders secretly loath the college crowd. Probably because it isn't really a secret. Definitely worth a stop in your nightly tour, but not worthy of cracking my top two.
2. Moe's
Moe's is a tricky one. Due to cover charges and capacity issues, it no longer reigns supreme over the one street that is Granville. However, for me, what sets Moe's apart is its programming variety. You can go down on literally any night of the week and find something fun to do (but good luck trying to win trivia). There is regularly live music and karaoke, which you may know if you were lucky enough to witness my rendition of "All I Want For Christmas is You" a couple of months ago. Plus, the bartenders here are pretty awesome and put up with a lot from rowdy crowds. In my opinion, Moe's is the best place to end your nights.
1. Taco Dan's
Maybe it’s just because I was raised to have inordinately high levels of local pride, but Taco Dan’s will always hold a special place in my heart. There is always room to sit or mill about, not to mention the pool table, which is always in use. You can order snacks pretty much all night, and you definitely get your money’s worth in their drinks. There is never a line, and the service is always friendly. I have brought many non-Denison friends to multiple bars in Granville, but Taco Dan’s continues to stand out as a crowd favorite. It is because of this that T-Dan's has earned the number one spot. Even if you are only in Granville for a night, Taco Dan's is a mandatory stop. And if the bar isn’t your scene, you can always head upstairs to check out Footloose’s vintage clothing. Yes, there is truly something for everyone at Taco Dan’s. Long live the taco pride.
